Ball return device

ABSTRACT

A ball return device which comprises a generally concave assembly for receiving a ball such as a golf ball and for directing it back in the general direction from which it came.

C Unlted States Patent 1191 1111 3,895,809 Shockley [45] July 22, 1975 [541 BALL RETURN DEVICE 1,218,390 3/1917 Gares 273/182 A 1,965,838 7/1934 Hofflund 273/182 A 1751 memo" Charles Glem Shockey PeeksklL 2,041,678 5/1936 Hirschauer 273/182 A NY- 2,936,179 5/1960 Thurston 273/182 R [73] Assignee: Lawrence Peska Associates, Inc., 3,081,633 3/1963 Von Soden 273/181 D New York. N.Y., a part interest [22] Filed Aug 19 19.74 Primar)l Examiner-George J. Marlo [2l] Appl. No.: 498,437

[52] U.S. Cl. .1 273/182 R; 273/105 A [5 l] Int. Cl.2 A63B 69/36 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field 0f Search 273/181, 182` 1847 185 A ball return device which comprises a generally con- 273/176, 103, 105 cave assembly for receiving a ball such as a golf ball and for directing it back in the general direction from [56] References Cited which it Came,

UNITED STATES PATENTS l 73 262 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 2/1916 Gunzburg 273/181 D PATENTEDJUL 2 2 |975 PRIOR ART Fig. 3

BALL RETURN DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention relates to an arrangement for providing a net in a generally upright position for stopping the flight of balls. The prior art includes the apparatus shown in Respini, U.S. Pat. No. 3.l95.898 issued July 20, 1965. The apparatus shown therein includes a net which hangs from a frame and is rectangular in shape. Such apparatus is primarily as stated in a patent a means for impeding the further movement of a ball such as a golf ball. The shape of the net therein does not assist in the return of the ball to the player.

Accordingly it is the primary object of the invention to provide apparatus which is simple and effective to manufacture and which will return a ball such as a golf ball in the direction from which it is first driven.

Itis also an object of the invention to provide apparatus which will be durable and which may be disassembled for easy transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ln accordance with the invention in one form a circuv lai hoop is provided having disposed thereon a concave fibrous surface. Means for holding the concave surface and hoop in a predetermined alignment with respect to the direction of which a golf ball or other ball is driven are provided.

ln various forms the concave fibrous surface may be made of canvas or other fabric and may be contoured in a conical or in a paraboloid contour and the axis thereof may be tipped to urge the ball downwards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING While the specification concludes with the claims strictly pointing out and definitely claiming the subject matter which I regard as my invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which:

FIG. l is an elevational view of the prior art apparatus showing the manner in which such upright apparatus tended to drop the ball which strikes it directly beneath it;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the novel apparatus in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken through the line 4 4 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a representation ofthe prior art apparatus which includes the net l which is carried by supports 12, 14 and which illustrates the effect of a ball 16 having an initial trajectory I8 which will impact on the net l0 and fall along the path 20 to a position adjacent to the net l0.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown apparatus in accordance with the invention which includes a circular hoop 22 which carries a concave canvas or fabric member 24 which in various embodiments may be conical or paraboloid and which at its centermost portion will have disposed a reflector plate 28 which will also preferably be manufactured of solid fabric or canvas. An adjustable stand generally designated by the numeral 30 attaches to an axial portion of the net 24. Disposed on each side of the canvas or fabric member 24 are reflector plates 32 which direct balls into the interior of the concave member 24. Supports 34 are disposed on alternate sides of the hoop 22 and are anchored thereto by bolts 36, 36.

The preferred construction of the hoop 22 will preferably be similar to the other support members as shown in FIG. 4. More specifically concentrie'interlocking members 40 and 42 engage each other for positive locking and which also permits ease of disassembly and storage as well as movement to alternate locations.

As shown in FIG. 2 the trajectory of a ball 16 is represented by the numeral 50 after it is struck by a player 52. It will be seen that the trajectory is such that the ball is returned along a substantially controlled path toward the player. In various situations it may be desirable to use other adjustments for the hoop and the concave member 24.

Various other alternatives will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It will be understood that the concave member 24 for example which is preferably manufactured of canvas or other fabric may also be manufactured of a relatively fine mesh netting without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having herein described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A ball return device particularly adapted for use in practicing the game of golf comprising:

a. a circular loop fabricated from at least two sections of metallic tubing whereby each section represents a portion of the periphery of said loop, each section further including means for inserting one section into the other to form a composite circular loop when assembled,

b. a concave canvas member coupled to the periphery of said loop and extending therefrom to form a generally parabolic configuration dimensioned to cause a golf ball impinging thereon in a given direction to return to a point of origin, said canvas member further having a central portion serving as a reflector plate and adapted to return balls which impinge directly thereon.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said concave canvas member is fabricated from a nylon material.

3. The device according to claim l further including a support frame assembly coupled to said canvas member for orienting the same in a direction to maintain said circular loop relatively transverse to a path of a golf ball.

4. The device according to claim 1 further including a reflector plate disposed on two sides of said general concave member for directing a ball arriving outside said circular loop into the confines of said device.

5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said metallic tubing is fabricated from aluminum.

a: l k :k 

1. A ball return device particularly adapted for use in practicing the game of golf comprising: a. a circular loop fabricated from at least two sections of metallic tubing whereby each section represents a portion of the periphery of said loop, each section further including means for inserting one section into the other to form a composite circular loop when assembled, b. a concave canvas member coupled to the periphery of said loop and extending therefrom to form a generally parabolic configuration dimensioned to cause a golf ball impinging thereon in a given direction to return to a point of origin, said canvas member further having a central portion serving as a reflector plate and adapted to return balls which impinge directly thereon.
 2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said concave canvas member is fabricated from a nylon material.
 3. The device according to claim 1 further including a support frame assembly coupled to said canvas member for orienting the same in a direction to maintain said circular loop relatively transverse to a path of a golf ball.
 4. The device according to claim 1 further including a reflector plate disposed on two sides of said general concave member for directing a ball arriving outside said circular loop into the confines of said device.
 5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said metallic tubing is fabricated from aluminum. 